TORONTO – Because the Yankees have let it be known they are willing to listen to offers for Chuck Knoblauch, other teams have automatically assumed the Bombers and Blue Jays have something going regarding left fielder Shannon Stewart.

However, according to a well-placed Blue Jay source, Stewart isn’t being dealt to the Yankees. A more likely scenario has the Blue Jays sending Stewart to Colorado for Pedro Astacio and the Blue Jays sending Astacio to the Cardinals for catcher Eli Marrero. But that was before Roger Clemens left yesterday’s game with a right groin problem.

As for Knoblauch, the Yankees have put out the word they would listen. However, there hasn’t been much interest outside of small talk from the Cardinals, and the chances of the Yankees trading their leadoff hitter before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline are slim.

And with Knoblauch on his best roll since April, the Yankees may benefit. In his last nine games, Knoblauch is hitting .316 (12-for-38), has scored five runs, drawn four walks and been hit once.

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Joe Torre remains in no hurry to get a contract extension from George Steinbrenner. Torre and The Boss met last weekend at Yankee Stadium to discuss Torre’s future, and Torre exited believing an extension was forthcoming. Since the meeting, Torre’s views haven’t changed.

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Ramiro Mendoza walked around the Yankee clubhouse yesterday with his left shoulder smothered in heat.

“It’s sore,” Mendoza said of his non-throwing shoulder.

Sore enough to keep him out of action?

“No,” he said. …

Torre said David Justice will test his left groin tomorrow at Norwich (Double-A). If all goes well, Torre believes Justice can play in a minor-league rehab game Tuesday or Wednesday and be ready to rejoin the Yankees by the weekend. …

News continues to be encouraging on Orlando Hernandez’ rehab.

“He is pretty pleased and that’s very important,” Torre said of El Duque, who is working back from toe surgery in Tampa. Next step is for him to pitch off a mound. According to Torre, that could happen today.